Useful Links

for people living with Parkinson’s and their care-partners

Arranged Alphabetically

AbilityNet – AbilityNet supports people of any age, living with any disability or impairment to use technology to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education.

AccessAble Guide – Disabled-accessible venues, destinations and attractions throughout the UK.

Airports Mobility Assistance

 

ACE IT – An Edinburgh based charity specialising in coaching the over 50s on their digital devices.

Aliss – A Local Information Service for Scotland – to enable people living with long term conditions, disabled people and unpaid carers to access the information they need to help them live well.

Artlink – The Arts Access service creates links between people who want to discover and enjoy the arts in Edinburgh.

BenefitsParkinson’s Advisers have a wide range of knowledge and expertise about Parkinson’s, and about services available in your area.

More details about financial help/benefits available to disabled people can be found here:

Blue Badge use – If you struggle to get around and use a car you may be eligible for a blue badge

Bus Pass (‘National Entitlement Card’) – Entitles you to free travel throughout Scotland. See:

Care and Repair Scotland – Offers advice and assistance to enable people to repair, improve or adapt their homes. They aim to contribute to independent living.

Carer Organisations Edinburgh and the Lothians:

  • Capital Carers (formerly North West Carers Centre) – Support in North West Edinburgh.
  • Care for Carers – Provides support services to all carers, regardless of age, gender, disability or relationship of the person they care for. Delivers services to carers in Edinburgh and also delivers specific short breaks through their Stepping Out service to carers from across Scotland.
  • Carers of East Lothian – CoEL works with carers who normally live in East Lothian or carers who live outside the area but the person they care for lives in East Lothian.
  • Carers of West Lothian – Information, advice and support for all unpaid carers and people with disabilities.
  • Eric Liddell Centre – Services include day care, community services and befriending.
  • MECOPP Carers Centre – Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project.
  • Space – (Formerly Broomhouse Centre Carer Support) Able to offer support, information and advocacy to carers on a one-to-one basis and also run a Carer Support Group once a month.
  • VOCAL – Support for carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian.

Cinema Card – Entitles you to a free ticket for a companion/carer accompanying you to the cinema.

Compass Therapy – Compass Neuro Centre is based in Leith, and is a hub for therapy and advice, supporting the wellbeing of people living with neurological conditions.  They are a registered charity providing subsidised, hands-on therapies and rehabilitation services. For more details see the attached leaflet via this link:   Compass Service Flyer Parkinsons

Council Tax: 25% Disability Discount

Davis Phinney Foundation – Provides tools, resources and inspiration as well as fund research on exercise, speech, movement and other factors that affect people with Parkinson’s.

Dial-a-Ride – Provides a door-through- door transport service for people with limited mobility who are unable to use ordinary buses. Register with your local council

Directory Enquiries – Free 195 service for disabled people.

Disabled Person’s Railcard – With the Railcard, you will receive 33% discount on most of your train ticket purchases for both yourself and a companion.

Driving Licence – Once you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you are legally obliged to inform the DVLA. Having Parkinson’s doesn’t necessarily mean that your licence will be affected, but you may need to have a medical or driving assessment.

Edinburgh Community Rehabilitation And Support Service – ECRSS

This initiative supports people living with a physical disability who find accessing technology such as phones, tablets and computers difficult or to find a digital solution that will increase their independence and safety.


Edinburgh Leisure Active Communities

The Active Communities team use the power of physical activity and sport to help those in need improve their health and wellbeing.


Electric Vehicles for those with Disabilities Auto Trader have a guide that shows pros/cons of electric vehicles for those with a disability, and changes being made to make driving EVs more accessible.

Energy Companies’ Priority Safety Register (PSR) – Priority support for disabled people in the event of supply interruption, including your local network operator providing alternative heating and cooking facilities.

Euan’s Guide – Reviews, shares and discovers accessible places to visit all over the UK and beyond.

Event Planning After Covid-19 – meetings and events industries are having to adapt. Function Central give advice on how events can be organised safely.

Ferries to mainland Europe

Ferries to Orkney/Shetland 

Ferries to the Hebrides/Western Isles 

Flu jabs for disabled people, unpaid carers and over 65s.  

Grant Funding – If you’re affected by Parkinson’s you can apply to Parkinson’s UK for an amount up to £1,500 to fund electrical items, respite care or specialist equipment. Your total household savings must be less than £16,000, or apply to Turn2us Grant Funding 

Help with Health Costs

Housing Options Scotland  Should you be considering moving this organisation is worth visiting.

Making Life Easier – Health and social care information sheets covering everything you need to know to deal with the day-to-day challenges of Parkinson’s.

Daily Living Aids

Motability Car – The Motability Scheme enables people to get mobile by exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), scooter or powered wheelchair.

NHS Feeling Good – An NHS approved app.  This is a good resource for anyone that is feeling overwhelmed or having problems with anxiety. It has some mindfulness practices, guided body relaxation techniques etc.  For more information:  How it Works – Feeling Good

Parkinson’s Emergency Contact Document – This page has been designed so that you can personalise your PD Document and carry this with you. Should you ever need assistance, the PD Document can be handed to someone who will be able to contact a family member or friend.

Parkinson’s Passport – The Parkinson’s Passport enables you to complete an information booklet about your medications and treatment and then carry it when you are out and about or travelling abroad.

Parkinson’s UK – Main UK charity working to improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s and working to find a cure. Helpline 0808 800 0303.

Parkinson’s UK in Scotland – Find out about support near you, who to contact, how to get involved and what the Parkinson’s UK charity is doing in Scotland. Also see their Facebook page.

People Know How  – deliver computers and devices to people in Edinburgh and East Lothian who need help staying connected, accessing support during the coronavirus outbreak.

RAC Response Breakdown Membership – If you are the holder of a Blue Badge, you can apply for the RAC’s special membership for disabled customers.

RADAR Toilet Key (now known as ‘National Key Scheme’) – The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public accessible (‘disabled’) toilets around the country.

Reconnect – a service provided by local Charity PeopleKnowHow, open to all adults living in Edinburgh who feel they need support to improve their health and wellbeing. They can provide tailored support needed as a result of social isolation or digital exclusion. This includes one-to-one digital learning, walking befriending and wellbeing calls. They can also provide refurbished laptops or tablets and arrange home delivery.

Road Tax Exemption – Depending on what benefits you claim you may be exempt from paying road tax.

Taxi Card – Taxi Card schemes offer reduced fare taxi and rail travel to those who can’t use buses because of severe physical disability or infirmity.

The Silver Line – Free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Thistle Foundation – Thistle provide in-person and remote self-management support for people living with long-term health conditions or facing challenging life situations. 

Zero % VAT – If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you won’t be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use.

Zoom User Guide – Parkinson’s UK Scotland have produced a very detailed but user-friendly guide on how to use Zoom

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